Space shuttle system program definition. Volume 1: Executive summary

A study for the selection of a low cost shuttle system for design and development was conducted. The objective of the final study was to examine and penetrate the major technical and cost issues affecting the choice of the following: (1) liquid propulsion recoverable or solid propulsion recoverable booster, (2) parallel burn/parallel mount or series burn/tandem mount configurations, and (3) payload weight and payload bay size of the orbiter. The matrix of program options which were considered in the study is developed.